19 Nov 44 Classe

Found it: 15/11/44 at 1400 in the first set of diaries:
I agree it is 'Support Company of the Essex Regiment'. In a different context it could be 'to support a company of the Essex Regiment'.

There is next to nothing on this period in the Essex Regiment's history as it was a relatively quiet conclusion to their campaign. It does mention that the purpose of Porterforce was to push back the Germans by any means short of direct assault. This was achieved by vigorous patrolling to locate enemy posts, then using the armoured cars and artillery to shoot them out.

 

Glad to see that my original posting has spurred such great information. Welcome to the site Rossano and keep visiting as I am sure they will be able to answer other questions you may ask as some of these guys are real stars with information to share.
Dee

 

Here is the missing page 73 of the 27th Lancers War Diary you requested:

 

This is actually Page 73:

 

Oggie2620,
I thank you for the welcome. The information I received from your group are really very interesting. Thanks for the contribution you are giving to my research.
Rossano

 

dryan67,
Thank you very much!
The different number from the file and the page I was misled. I'm sorry.
Rossano

 

Good evening,

I am currently searching for any relatives of Cpl A G Bradfield MM mentioned in this forum.
Any assistance would be most welcome.
Regards
Shaun

 

Good evening,

I am currently searching for any relatives of Cpl A G Bradfield MM mentioned in this forum.
Any assistance would be most welcome.
Regards
Shaun

No one by that name is listed in the online with the NA

The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Search Results

 

Good evening,

I am currently searching for any relatives of Cpl A G Bradfield MM mentioned in this forum.
Any assistance would be most welcome.
Regards
Shaun
Shaun Please PM me and I will give you my email addy. When I get back to work I will have a look in the Regiment archive. I have copies of the 2721 Sqn ORBs so there may be something in those for the day he won his MM.
Best wishes
Dee

 

Rossano has very kindly sent me a pdf file that has a 5 page special supplement (in Italian) which is all about dedication day. It is too big to attach on here but if anyone wants a copy please pm me and I will send you the copy.
Best wishes
Dee

 

Chanced across this thread again. Have now found another citation relating to 2721 squadron for actions around the time of the Classe Fueri attack.

From the Supplement to the London Gazette of 13 April 1945 (pg 1966):

1495461 Leading Aircraftman William WEARDEN, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, RAF Regiment.

During the period September/December, 1994, Leading Aircraftman Wearden’s Squadron has been under the command of the Eighth Army and has operated in the mountains, and, after the fall of Ravenna, on the Lamone River with a Canadian Armoured Brigade. Throughout these operations Leading Aircraftman Wearden has carried out the duty of Flight Signaller in an exceptional and outstanding manner. He has gone out on many patrols to make contact with the enemy and kept a wireless link with his headquarters whilst thus operating. During the period 19th to 30th November, 1944, whilst operating near the Sugar Factory of Classe Fueri and from 8th to 17th December when his Flight was holding a very exposed position on the River Lamone, north of Messano, he has maintained his communications under long periods of enemy fire by shell and mortar, showing a total disregard for his own safety and often working on open stretches of road in full view of enemy observation and fire. Leading Aircraftman Wearden has worked for very long periods without rest and his courage and devotion to duty under circumstances of great hardship have set a fine example.

 

I was looking for something online, unrelated to this thread, when I came across two entries on the BBC Peoples' War website that give some more information about these events.

The entries relate to Corporal Harry Green, MM, 2721 Squadron RAF Regiment and look like they were posted by a relative (possible his widow?).

Here they are -

BBC - WW2 People's War - Harry Green: Military Medal Winner (Part 1)
BBC - WW2 People's War - Harry Green: Military Medal Winner (Part 2)

Here's the bit most relevant to Classe, from Part 2 of the story:

"On Oct 30th we pulled out again for a well earned rest at our rear camp at Citta-Di-Castello and stayed there till Nov 11th and we again went into the line at Revena, a place called Casteglione-Di-Castello, 9 miles south of the town that Jerry was occupying, our first place was in an old deserted granary used again as a OP and also a position for self propelled 75mm guns that nearly shook the building down, after nearly a week in this position we were put in a fight with a detachment of the 57 Lancers to attack and capture a village and sugar factory which Jerry held as a strategic OP and defence lines, the attack went in at dawn precluded by1 ½ hr barrage, the attack was quick, successful and 50 prisoners were taken we had one casualty, a man hit by shrapnel from a shell, the position was taken and held by 11.00am on the day Sunday 19th Nov. After the place was taken we started a system of flight in for two days and out for four days which was not bad, the worst part was the change over at 3.00 or 5.00 in the morning, we usually had a nice reception of mortars and 88 shells lucky no one was hit at any time.

We stayed at that position till 5th Dec when Revena fell and we went forward once more."

 

Hi everyone,

Really happy I found this thread as the officer J F Beaumont mentioned in the war diaries was my grandfather. Only found this after finding his medal (military cross) recommendation in the national archives. No one in our family really knew exactly why he was awarded the medal.